The Sorcerers Apprentice (Walt Disney Pictures)
Casts A Spell
When you hear the title The Sorcerers Apprentice many people think of the episode in Fantasia where Mickey Mouse gets in trouble with a lot of mops and buckets of water. There is a tip of the hat to that scene in the new live action movie The Sorcerers Apprentice which stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel. The new movie casts a spell of sorts but it isnt one effective enough to magically draw audiences into the local theaters.
The story of the film opens centuries ago when Merlin (James A Stephens) had three apprentices of sorts. They were Balthazar (Cage), Horvath (Alfred Molina) and Veronica (Monica Bellucci). In a battle with the evil Morgana (Alice Krige), Merlin is killed. In an act of self sacrifice Veronica inhales the essence of Morgana and locks herself and Horvath in a bottle. In order for her to be freed and for Morgana to die, Balthazar must find the true heir of Merlins power.
Years later Balthazar finds the heir. He is a young student named David (Baruchel) and Balthazar begins to train him for the upcoming battle. David is a reluctant apprentice. He would rather spend his time trying to impress his lifetime love Becky (Teresa Palmer). She does not know that David possesses a wizards powers.
The movie is a little draggy in spots and doesnt make sense in even the most elastic situations. It is only in the last few scenes that a bit of logic creeps in. Still at that point the appeal of Baruchel comes flying through and makes for a satisfying conclusion.
Cage is pretty good as Balthazar. He has to act mysteriously in a lot of ways but his basic decency is never in question. Baruchel is the heart of the film and is as appealing here as he was in Shes Out of My League. His scene with the mops and buckets is one of the worst in the movie and should have been edited out. Other than that he is quite good playing the awkward young man trying to navigate both the sorcery field and the landscape of love.
Bellucci is only seen in a few scenes and more of her would have helped the movie immensely. It is to her and Cages credit that they create a romantic subplot in just a few moments. Palmer is easily accepted by the audience as Baruchels potential girlfriend because she is very similar in looks to Alice Eve who played the girl he romanced in Shes Out of My League.
The film is rated PG-13 for mild profanity, violence and monster situations.
The Sorcerers Apprentice isnt the best movie of the summer but it is a somewhat enjoyable one. You will find your self cheering for the good guys and booing the bad ones. As it evokes that much concern then something has to have been done right.
I scored The Sorcerers Apprentice a magical 6 out of 10.
